Karayan entered the grand hall, his crimson eyes scanning the crowd like a predator seeking its prey. His gaze locked onto Leone, who stood beside Solomon. Slowly, Karayan raised his iron staff, its dark surface gleaming ominously, and pointed it directly at Leone.
"Young man," Karayan began, his voice cold and cutting, "I presume you are Leone, the Third Lord who organized this event?"
Leone stepped forward cautiously, his head lowered in deference. "Yes, Sir Karayan. I am the one who arranged this gathering."
Karayan's lips curled into a sneer, his disdain palpable. "Then answer me this: why wasn't I invited?"
Leone froze, the words caught in his throat. The truth burned inside him, but he dared not speak it aloud. Karayan was infamous throughout the kingdoms—feared for his dark powers, loathed for his atrocities. Yet, despite his reputation, none dared challenge him openly.
Finally, Leone stammered, "I... I had no idea you'd wish to attend. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the oversight. I humbly extend my invitation to you."
Karayan's face twisted with fury, his teeth grinding audibly. "You lowly creature! First, you exclude me, then offer me this pitiful excuse? And now you have the gall to invite me as an afterthought?"
"That's enough, Karayan!" Solomon's voice rang out, firm and commanding. He stepped forward, motioning for Leone to step back.
"You dare crash someone's celebration uninvited and cause chaos? How shameless. And you call yourself an Archmage."
The tension in the room grew unbearable as dark mana rippled across the floor. Flames of crimson mana flared around Karayan, his oppressive aura stifling the air.
"You insolent bastard!" Karayan spat, his voice seething with venom. "How dare you interfere in my affairs? Do you have a death wish?"
[Mana barrier]
With a flick of his wrist, Solomon conjured a shimmering barrier of mana that enveloped the hall.
"I'm not the one being insolent here. Even true Archmages know respect is earned, not demanded. And you? You're not even worthy of the title. Shall I recount your 'respectful' methods of gaining power for all to hear?"
Karayan fell silent, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous madness. A twisted grin spread across his face as he struck the floor repeatedly with his staff, the sharp clang echoing through the hall.
From the swirling fog of dark mana, shadowy, blackened spirits emerged, their forms writhing ominously.
'You insolent fool,' Karayan hissed, his voice dripping with venom. 'You dare to try and humiliate me? Take responsibility for your insolence. Feel the full weight of my wrath.'" Karayan bellowed, pointing at Solomon. "My servants, destroy him!"
The spirits surged forward, but they froze mid-attack, trembling as if gripped by an unseen force. Their glowing eyes fixed on something behind Solomon.
Solomon turned to see Ashan standing silently with the other lords and their families. Ashan's piercing gaze burned with an otherworldly intensity, his expression unreadable.
"What is this?" Solomon murmured. "Why are the spirits hesitating? They seem… afraid."
Karayan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible! These spirits were forged from dragon's blood. They know no fear!"
But fear gripped them as Ashan's silent warning reverberated: Take one step further, and you will cease to exist.
Karayan's fury erupted. "Who dares meddle with my summons? Is this your doing, Solomon?"
Solomon smirked faintly. "Do I look like I need to? Perhaps you should question your own incompetence."
Karayan roared, dismissing the trembling spirits. The dark mana condensed around him as he leveled his staff at Solomon.
"Do you think that was all I had? Let's see if you can handle this!"
A beam of dark energy erupted from Karayan's staff. Solomon raised his own staff calmly, emitting a white light that intercepted and began neutralizing the attack.
"Have you forgotten?" Solomon said. "Neutralizing curses is my specialty."
Karayan's lips twisted into a wicked grin. "And did you think I wouldn't adapt? Enjoy the side effect of your 'specialty!'"
A purple mist seeped from Solomon's staff, spreading through the hall. Solomon's eyes widened in alarm. "Naga poison… How did you—?"
Karayan cackled. "Neutralize my curse, and you create the deadliest toxin known to man. Let's see you handle both at once."
The poison spread quickly, eating away at the mana barrier. The lords stepped forward, pouring their energy into reinforcing it.
"Sir Solomon," Eridan, the First Lord, called out, his voice strained. "We can't hold this much longer! The poison is too strong!"
Solomon's expression darkened, his mind racing for a solution.
Then Ashan, who had remained silent, stepped forward. His gaze burned with transcendent power.
"That's enough," Ashan said softly. "I won't hold back anymore."
He removed his shoe, touching the floor with the toe of his right foot. A subtle shockwave rippled through the room.
[Wayo: Fourth Form – Vortex]
A massive airflow surged into the hall, creating a vortex that began sucking in the poisonous mist. The room fell silent in stunned awe as the vortex intensified.
Karayan's face contorted with fear and rage. "Solomon! How are you manipulating air without spells? What is this power?"
Even Solomon stood frozen in shock. "It's not me…"
The vortex shifted, bearing down on Karayan. In desperation, he conjured a dark barrier, weakening his curse beam.
"This is my chance," Solomon muttered, determination flashing in his eyes. "I must stop this, no matter the cost."
To be continued…